Karpacz, June 21 - Provided by International Horse Press — For the fourth consecutive year, the ERCHA/NRCHA Hackamore Classic, open to 4- and 5-year-old horses ridden in a hackamore, was hosted by Western Academy, in Western City, a facility located in Karpacz, Poland. The idea of moving the prestigious event to Eastern Europe comes from ERCHA President, Markus Schopfer. “Central Eastern ERCHA, along with president Tomas Barta, has been actively taking part in NRCHA approved ERCHA shows held around Europe, reason why we felt we should move the Hackamore Classic to Poland in order to further promote our sport there,” said Schopfer. “The high standard of horses and riders, and the level of competition gets better every year. The hospitality is great and we are very pleased with our choice.”

A thrilling day of reined cow horse action on Saturday, June 15, wrapped up the main event at the National Reined Cow Horse Association Jack and Phoebe Cooke Memorial Derby, presented by Cats Picasso. Open and non pro riders took center stage at the Paso Robles Event Center, in Paso Robles, California. The top combined score rode away with the prestigious NRCHA Derby Champion title and a share of more than $340,000.

Tuesday, June 11, was dedicated to Open Derby riders completing the second phase of the preliminary round - the herd work. The National Reined Cow Horse Association Jack & Phoebe Cooke Memorial Derby, presented by Cats Picasso, is one of the largest and most prestigious events for 4- and 5- year-old reined cow horses. Shown two-handed in a snaffle bit or a hackamore, horses are judged in three preliminary events: rein work, herd work and cow work. Top scorers from the preliminaries will advance to the clean-slate finals on Saturday, June 15, for a chance to win the coveted title of 2019 NRCHA Derby Champion and a share of the more than $340,000 in total payout.

The second day of the National Reined Cow Horse Association Jack & Phoebe Cooke Memorial Derby, presented by Cats Picasso, is complete. Several horse show spectaculars exhibitors walked through the herd, completing their first of three events on Monday, June 10 at the Paso Robles Event Center. Derby Non Pro and Non Pro Limited riders also worked their way through the herd, placing them one step closer to the prestigious title of 2019 NRCHA Derby Champion.

The first of three preliminary events at the National Reined Cow Horse Association Jack & Phoebe Cooke Memorial Derby, presented by Cats Picasso, is complete. The rein work prelims wrapped up for the Open and Non Pro divisions on Sunday, June 9 at the Paso Robles Event Center in Paso Robles, California. Competitors laid down big scores today, all while keeping their eye on the coveted title of 2019 NRCHA Derby Champion and a share of the more than $340,000 total payout.

The Derby of the European Reined Cow Horse Association (ERCHA) was held in Cremona, from the 22nd to the 25th may 2019. The show was hosted by the international horse fair called ‘Salone del Cavallo Americano’, and was entirely judged by Manuela Maiocchi. The show is an aged event, reserved to 4 and 5 year old horses.

The National Reined Cow Horse Association Merit Award program was created to recognize elite equine athletes that steadily succeed throughout their reined cow horse show career.  Merit awards are determined by the horse’s NRCHA lifetime earnings – whether win checks are earned at regional or national level shows. The current Merit Award levels are: Certificate of Ability, Superior Cow Horse Award and Supreme Reined Cow Horse. Earnings won in the Limited or “boxing” classes are only applicable for the Certificate of Ability level.

The final day of competition was deep at the South Point Arena and Equestrian Center. On Saturday, April 6, the National Reined Cow Horse Association Stallion Stakes Open and Non Pro champions were crowned, along with finalizing the horse show class winners. They say it all comes down to the fence work and the Stakes Finals was no exception. Excitement filled the arena as Open and Non Pro posted large scores.

It was a fierce day of competition for riders of all the levels at the National Reined Cow Horse Association Stallion Stakes. Non pro riders brought their A-game to the South Point Arena and Equestrian Center, in Las Vegas, Nevada. Following a morning of Non Pro and Non Pro Limited Stakes rein work, Open riders returned to the main arena for the start of the horse show classes.

While it may have been April Fool's Day, the National Reined Cow Horse Association Stallion Stakes herd work was no joking matter. Non pro competitors took center stage on Monday, April 1, at the luxurious South Point Arena and Equestrian Center, in Las Vegas, Nevada.